FORMER Celtic favourite Fraser Forster has made his comeback after almost 10 months out – and has immediately set his sights on the Euro Finals in France.
The England international keeper, who cost £10million when Southampton lured him from the Hoops in August 2014, made his return in the the Under-21 side’s 1-0 win over Chelsea in midweek.
It was the 27-year-old shotstopper’s first game in 291 days since damaging a patellar tendon in his left knee during the Premier League game against Burnley in March.
Forster said: “Obviously, I was a bit rusty, but it was perfect.
“I’m buzzing to get 90 minutes under my belt. I’m just delighted to get through it and the victory makes it that much better.”
Forster, who has won three caps for his nation, is wary of rushing his return to action although he has his eyes on Roy Hodgson’s squad for France in the summer.
He said: “It’s stage by stage, one day at a time. We’ve done everything correctly for the last nine or so months and not rushed.
“That’s how we’ll continue to the end. There’s no rush. I just want to make sure I get it right and when that day comes it will come.
“It will be good to play a few more 90 minutes and just go from there.
“But, like I said, we’re looking at step by step, day by day and we’ll see where it takes us.”
Saints manager Ronald Koeman is desperate to have his No 1 choice keeper back with Maarten Stekelenburg and Paulo Gazzaniga deputising in his absence.
Forster hopes solid displays will again attract the attention of England coach Hodgson, who gave him his debut in the 2-0 defeat against Chile at Wembley in November 2013 while he was still a Celtic player.
The 6ft 6in keeper’s return in unlikely to be in time when the English squad is announced for their forthcoming friendlies against Holland and Germany in March.
They kick off the Euros against Russia on June 11 before taking on Wales five days later and Slovakia four days after that.
Stoke City’s Jack Butland has been providing cover for Joe Hart, of Manchester City, in recent internationals.
